The first time I viewed a set of SRM power cranks in action was in 2001. I had read about the training tool in the media, where sensitive sensors were built into the chain ring design, to measure the rider’s actual power output in Watts. Relate this to a 40-watt bulb being dim and a 100watt bulb being bright. Power is strength and strength means glory.

Team Columbia use the SRM cranks, and now with Shimano producing the crank arms from stronger and stiffer drop forged alloys and high carbon weaves, they are more accurate, a boost for coachers and managers everywhere.

I recently interviewed the mighty Adam Hansen, a massive 6 foot 3′ pro with Team Columbia who is an anchor in Cavendish’s lead out train. I asked him what was the most Watts he had ever produced and recorded on the SRM’s ” I managed to knock out 1210 in an uphill sprint in last years Veluta”(Tour of Spain).
A stunning amount. 1200 watts! I have squeezed 720 in a sprint, with rumours of international top amateur riders galloping over the 1000.
So when I pestered Columbia staff to look at Cavendish’s numbers after his domination yet another race (17 in total in 2008) I was expecting 1300, possibly the magic 1400, a figure said to be the mark of a top sprinter winning a pro race.
On this particular stage, Adam Hansen had crashed with 40 km to go, bringing Cavendish down in the process. The accident left the second placed overall Julian Dean (Garmin) in the front group and yellow in the road. Michael Barry, Marco Pinotti and Cav had to ride hard for 30km, to regain the lead front group, so little was expected at the run into to the finish. With a one km to go Cavendish was on his own, teammates empty, the Garmin lead-out train was working perfectly and Cavendish had to come from fifth place with Dean at the head. 150 to go. What happened next was astounding even though I had seen it on the
2 previous days. Cavendish exploded from Julian Dean’s rear wheel and had it won with 50 to go. Freewheeling across the line, smiling with 3 fingers aloft. Such power. Such speed!
– So what power? What speed?

The results are amazing and in a league of their own.
Cav’ max readings for the stage, likely to be recorded in the final sprint for the win:
1020 Watts produced.
A figure, granted similar to a coal fire power station but not head and shoulders ahead of everyone else. So why is he so good?
The rest of the SRM results tell the tale.
Speed: 72.2 kilometres per hour. In a slightly uphill gallop; that is frighteningly fast.
So Cav has the power, and the speed: but couple these two fantastic attributes to a finishing Cadence (pedal revolutions per minute) of 151 and ladies and gentlemen we have a winner. The speed of a track star on a roadman! Amazing.

0AAll numbers. True a race cannot be won with a calculator and a pair of expensive cranks, but in today’s scientific training world, they are rarely won in the pro peloton without.